Curated OER
Going the Distance
Learners experiment in small groups to answer the question, "Is there a relationship between ramps and speed?" They apply a formula to calculate the speed of the cars used in the experiment, complete the associate lab report, and...
Curated OER
Where We've Been and Where We're Going
Young scholars travel with Christa McAuliffe through space demonstrations. In this space lesson, students follow through the past to the present air travel. Young scholars understand the benefits and problems associated with zero gravity...
Curated OER
Flight
Students are introduced to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight experiments. They "fly" for short periods and evaluate factors that might either increase or decrease their...
Curated OER
Water Power
High schoolers explore how a water turbine operates and observe the principles of the water turbine. They account for the speed of the water turbine by various experiments and records of test results. In groups the students create a...
Curated OER
Functions and Statistics: International Space Station: Up to Us
Young scholars explore how the International Space Station was built and how it provides first-hand experiences with the space program. They view the NASA engineers discussing the major components of the International Space Station,...
Curated OER
How do they make glass into different shapes?
Students investigate the process of glass blowing.In this simulation of glass blowing experiments students experiment how glass is formed and why not all glass is the same.
Curated OER
Matter, Matter
Young scholars define vocabulary related to the parts of the atom. For this matter lesson, students navigate the web to find the structure and the forces that affect atoms. Young scholars complete an experiment with...
Curated OER
Race the Track! Design Challenge
Students focus on a force and motion problem, explore it, reflect on it and apply it while completing experiments. In this motion lesson, students experiment with force and motion by creating a track for testing cars.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Pulley'ing Your Own Weight
Students experiment with common objects such as spools, string and soap to determine how pulleys make it easier to move large objects. They look at the difference between fixed and movable pulleys. They examine the many uses engineers...
Curated OER
Making Life Easier
Learners use a chart of the six simple machines and become aware of how the machines improve our ability to meet the following needs: shelter, food, water, and transportation. Students use model cars to experiment with force. They divide...
Curated OER
Designing and Building Catapults
Seventh graders complete a challenge to create a catapult that projects a marble or other projectile at least one meter. While experimenting they apply the Four Question Strategy to answer the question, " How can I make one modification...
Curated OER
Weathering Rocks
Fourth graders investigate what natural events cause rocks to break apart and differentiate between erosion and weathering. They conduct an experiment with plaster of paris to observe why some rocks are hard and others break, and...
Curated OER
Erosion: Slip Sliding Away
Fourth graders investigate the causes of erosion. Through several demonstrations including one using sugar cubes and warm water, they observe the effects of erosion. In groups, 4th graders conduct similar experiments and record their...
Curated OER
Animal Behavior
Students investigate stimulus-response behavior, learned behavior in animals and innate behavior in animals. In this animal behavior lesson plan, students answer questions about their reactions to a toy cap gun that is fired off in...
Curated OER
Exploring Pendulums
In this exploring pendulums worksheet, students experiment with pendulums they make in the lab. They vary the length of the strings and the weights to observe the changes in the pendulum's amplitude and frequency. They answer 3 analysis...
Curated OER
Periodic Motion - The Pendulum
Students experiment to determine the period of a pendulum. In this periodic motion lesson plan, students use different pendulums to determine their periods. They use various amplitudes to determine its effects on the period.
Curated OER
Animals Up!
Students design and build a pedestal or platform that holds a toy animal. In this building instructional activity, students use knowledge from a prior instructional activity as they build a platform or pedestal for a toy animal using on...
Curated OER
Plants Alive! How Plants Grow and Move
Students explore how plants move in response to the environment. In this plant lesson plan, students engage in three different experiments to investigate how plants grow and move. Resources available in English and French.
Curated OER
The Science of Magnets
Students are introduced to the concept of magnetism and investigate the properties of magnets. In this magnetism instructional activity, students identify a magnet then examine why certain things are attracted to magnets and some things...
Curated OER
Simulating the Greenhouse Effect in a Terrarium
Students identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs. In this environmental instructional activity students view videos then complete an experiment using a terrarium to observe greenhouse gas.
Curated OER
Physics "24"
Students construct a model house or school. For this physics lesson, students research about who wind up clocks work and write an essay about it. They determine the center of gravity of different objects.
Curated OER
Energy Activities
Students conduct a variety of experiments related to solar energy, heating, cooling, gravity, physical insulation and wind. They consider how the experiments relate to energy and the consumption of energy and then participate in a class...
Virginia Department of Education
A-Mazing Plants
Have your young scientists questioned why plants grow a particular way? Through this learning opportunity, scientists gain firsthand knowledge about how plants develop and various factors that affect rates of growth as they bring plants...
Discovery Education
Motion in the Ocean
How do temperature changes affect ocean currents? Scholars explore convection currents by demonstrating the flow of water in a baking dish. They use ice, heat, and food coloring to see currents. Then, they draw conclusions about their...